Pressure measuring device for bullet seating

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to a pressure measuring device used to measure the pressure being applied to a ramrod of a muzzleloading firearm during bullet seating. A pressure measuring device may include a housing, a spring, and a ramrod receiving portion. The pressure measuring device may also and/or alternatively include electrical circuitry used for converting the applied pressure to an electrical signal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure generally relates to the field of firearms, and specifically muzzleloader firearms and accessories designed to improve the shooting accuracy of all muzzleloader firearms.

BACKGROUND

Generally, there are various types of firearms. These firearms include, but are not limited to, guns, such as rifles, shotguns and handheld guns. Throughout history, there have been various methods used to load a projectile, such as a bullet, into the firearms. One such method is by placing the bullet, along with propellant, into the muzzle, or firing end of the firearm. Firearms that utilize this type of method are often called “muzzleloaders.” One of the difficulties associated with muzzleloaders is providing a consistent loading pressure when the bullet is loaded into the muzzle, a process often called “bullet seating.” Consistent loading pressure is helpful to provide greater consistency on bullet velocity when firing a muzzleloader. Greater consistency on bullet velocity leads to greater shooting accuracy. Currently, there are no devices available to accurately seat a bullet with consistent pressure in a muzzleloading firearm.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a pressure measuring device for bullet seating including a housing, a spring, a ramrod receiving portion and an output pressure indicator.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a pressure measuring device for bullet seating including a housing, circuitry to convert pressure to an electrical signal, and an output pressure indicator.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in simplified form that are further described in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary use of a pressure measuring device as it is applied to a ramrod on the end of a muzzleloader.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a pressure measuring device for bullet seating.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a pressure measuring device having features that are examples of aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional view of a pressure measuring device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional view of a pressure measuring device of FIG. 1, depicting the insertion of a ramrod and compression of internal spring, that are examples of aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a pressure measuring device of FIG. 1, depicting an alternative form of internal spring, as an example of aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an electrical pressure measuring device for bullet seating, including a bullet starter, as an example of aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a pressure measuring device of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like structures.

Generally, there are various types of firearms. These firearms include, but are not limited to, guns, such as rifles, shotguns, and handheld guns. Throughout history, there have been various methods used to load a projectile, often called a bullet, into the firearms. One such method is by placing the bullet, along with propellant, into the muzzle, or firing end of the firearm. Firearms that utilize this type of method are often called “muzzleloaders.” Consistent loading pressure is helpful to provide greater consistency on bullet velocity when firing a muzzleloader. Greater consistency on bullet velocity leads to greater shooting accuracy. The present disclosure is directed to a device that measures the pressure being applied by an individual to a ramrod during bullet seating.

FIG. 1 shows potential uses of the pressure measuring device 1 to measure the pressure applied by the user to the ramrod 2 when seating a bullet in the end of a muzzleloader 3. The pressuring measuring device 1 is generally designed to be slightly larger than a human hand to allow for easy handling when in the field. However, it will be understood that mechanical device may be larger or smaller without departing from spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the housing 4 of the pressure measuring device may be cylindrical or rectangular, and may include indentations that could be used for gripping (not shown). The housing may be made of steel or plastic or various other materials. It is understood by one of skill in the art that the previous description is exemplary only and is not meant to limit the scope of the disclosed device.

FIG. 2 also depicts a scale 5 for displaying the measure of output pressure, herein referred to as an output pressure indicator, that provides for easy identification of the amount of pressure being applied to the ramrod by the user. As depicted, the scale 5 shows pressure amounts from 0 to 80 pounds of pressure, understanding that many muzzleloaders have varying parameters of pressure for optimal performances, as indicated by the manufacturers. In addition, some antique muzzleloaders may not have written parameters, requiring the user to self identify needed pressure for optimal performance. Thus, the scale 5 is not meant to be finite, but rather to provide the user a broad range of pressure outputs for various muzzleloaders.

FIG. 2 also shows a opening 6 for a pin 7, or other external pressure indicator, that may be used as the to identify to the user the amount of pressure being applied. The pin 7 may be made of any material, and could have a colored portion or may use fiber optics for easy reading. It will be understood that a pin may be one mechanism for an external pressure indicator, but that others are contemplated without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 also shows a ramrod receiving portion 8, that will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a mechanical version of a pressure measuring device of the present disclosure. Specifically, a pressure measuring device 1 includes a spring 9, the end of which is placed on an end of a piston 10. During assembly, the piston end portion 11 may be inserted into an end of the housing 4 into a hollow chamber 13. The pin 7 can then be inserted into the piston end portion 11 for engagement in the opening 6 in the housing 4. Next, the spring 9 can be placed inside the housing 4 to provide for engagement with the end of the piston 10. Finally, a calibrator 12, that may be in the form of a screw or cap, can be placed on the end of the housing 4 to contain the internal parts of the pressure measuring device 1. It will be understood that the previous description of assembly and components is exemplary only and other methods of assembly and components are contemplated without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a cross-sectional view of a mechanical version of a pressuring measuring device is depicted. FIG. 4A shows a ramrod receiving portion 8 wherein a user places the ramrod 2 used for pressing the bullet into the muzzle of the firearm. The housing 4 may comprise a hollow chamber 13. The hollow chamber 13 is of sufficient diameter to provide a piston 10 for receiving the end portion of a ramrod inserted therein. The diameter of the housing 4 at the end of the mechanical pressure measuring device as compared to the diameter of the piston 10 will be such that the piston 10 may smoothly move along a longitudinal axis of the mechanical pressure measuring device, while prohibiting unwanted side to side movement of the piston in the hollow chamber 13 of the housing 4. The piston 10 may be manufactured from a variety of materials that provide for the previously described movement, such as nylon. However, depending upon the material used to create the outer casing, other materials may be used to manufacture the piston without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. FIG. 4A shows spring 9 that is a compression spring. The compression spring is expanded in its rest state.

FIG. 4B shows the mechanical version of a pressure measuring device 1 upon which pressure is being applied. Specifically, FIG. 4B shows a ramrod 2 being inserted into the end of the pressure measuring device 1 at the ramrod receiving portion 8, with the other end of the ramrod 2 being inserted into the end of a muzzleloader 3. When pressure is applied, the spring 9 inside the housing 4 may compress. When the spring 9 is compressed, the output pressure indicator, depicted as a pin 7, moves along a scale (not shown) on the outer facing portion of the housing 4.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary alternative spring 9 that may be used called a reverse expansion spring that is compressed in its rest state. In this example, the ramrod (not shown) may be placed in the ramrod receiving portion 8. When pressure is applied by the user on the pressure measuring device, and in turn the ramrod, the reverse expansion spring 9 is expanded in the hollow chamber 13 of the housing 4, causing the output pressure indicator, shown as a pin 7, to move along the scale (not shown) in the opening 6.

FIG. 6 depicts a electrical version of a pressure measuring device 14 for measuring the pressure applied by a user when seating a bullet of a muzzleloader that may include a digital readout 15 as an output pressure indicator. The electrical version of a pressuring measuring device 14, like the mechanical version 1, is generally designed to be slightly larger than a human hand to allow for easy handling when in the field. However, it will be understood that electrical version 14 may be larger or smaller without departing from spirit and scope of this disclosure. The housing 4 of may be cylindrical or rectangular, and may include indentations that could be used for gripping (not shown). The housing 4 may be made of steel or plastic or various other materials. It is understood by one of skill in the art that the previous description is exemplary only and is not meant to limit the scope of the disclosed digital device.

FIG. 6 depicts an output pressure indicator, wherein the measured pressure is displayed on a digital readout 15. The electrical version of the pressure measuring device 14 may include an on/off mechanism 16 and an adjustment feature 17 that provides for presetting of desired pressure. When the adjustment feature 17 is utilized, the output pressure indicator may be in the form of a LED light, rather than, or in addition to, a digital readout 15. The electrical device, similar to its mechanical counterpart, will have sufficient measuring range to accommodate the varying parameters of specifications for various muzzleloaders. The digital readout 15 or other output pressure indicator may indicate actual measured pressure and/or it may show output on a scale, or example, of (0) to (10), wherein each point is a preset measure of pressure. By way of example, 5 may be symbolic for 50 pounds of applied pressure as measured by the device, whereas (10) may be symbolic for 100 pounds of applied pressure as measured by the device. This modified scale is exemplary only, and other modified scales are contemplated without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Both the LED indicator 17 and the modified scale may provide for quicker relay of the pressure reading.

The pressure measuring device 14 may also include a bullet starter 18. The bullet starter 18 enables the user to press the bullet through the end of the muzzle of the firearm, before utilizing the ramrod to push the bullet further into the muzzle. While FIG. 6 depicts the bullet starter 18 substantially toward the end of the housing 4 of the pressure measuring device 14, opposite that of the portion that receives the ramrod, it can be understood by one of skill in the art that the bullet starter 14 may be placed along any portion of the device without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the pressure measuring device of FIG. 2 may also include a bullet starter 18, or any other structure described herein with reference to FIG. 6 and the pressure measuring device 14. Similarly, the pressuring measuring device of FIG. 6 may include some and/or all of the features described with reference to FIG. 2 and the pressure measuring device 1.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a pressure measuring device 14. The pressure measuring device may include a ramrod receiving portion 8 where a user places the ramrod (not shown) used for pressing the bullet down into the muzzle of the firearm. The ramrod receiving end 8 of the pressure measuring device 14 may include a channel 19 that houses a piston 10. The diameter of the ramrod receiving portion 8 as compared to the diameter of the piston 10 may be such that the piston 10 may smoothly move along a longitudinal axis, while prohibiting unwanted side to side movement of the piston 10 in the channel of the end of the housing 4. The piston 10 may be manufactured from a variety of materials that provide for the previously described movement, such as nylon.

The pressure measuring device 14 may also include a area for housing batteries 20. When pressure is applied to a ramrod (not shown) and consequently the piston 10, the pressure is converted to an electrical signal by various integrated circuits on a circuit board 21. These electrical signals may undergo further modification or amplification to provide for the necessary voltage to trigger the output pressure indicator 15. The various technology utilized may included a pressure transducer or load cell technology. The housing 4 provides protection for the internal components that may be utilized for converting the applied pressure to an electrical signal. The load cell may comprise various components including a strain gauge, which converts the force (applied pressure) to electrical signals. The load cell is the electrical equivalent of the spring described above. 

1. A pressure measuring device for bullet seating, comprising: a housing; a spring; and a ramrod receiving portion.
 2. The pressure measuring device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a calibrator.
 3. The pressure measuring device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises an output pressure indicator.
 4. The pressure measuring device of claim 1, wherein the device includes a piston.
 5. The pressure measuring device of claim 4, wherein the piston is made from nylon.
 6. The pressure measuring device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a bullet starter.
 7. A pressure measuring device for bullet seating comprising: a housing; a circuit board; and a ramrod receiving portion.
 8. A pressure measuring device of claim 7, wherein the device further comprises an output pressure indicator.
 9. A pressure measuring device of claim 7, wherein the device further comprises a bullet starter. 